You are currently viewing „I am really looking forward to it, because they have world class athletes in all nordic disciplines and genders!” – The French coach Frederic Zoz has teamed up with the Japanese Ski Association
Frederic Zoz (fot. Julia Piątkowska)

„I am really looking forward to it, because they have world class athletes in all nordic disciplines and genders!” – The French coach Frederic Zoz has teamed up with the Japanese Ski Association

Starting in 2001, Frederic Zoz began his career as a ski jumping coach with the French club from Autrans. He then spent many years on the national team for France, supporting both male and female athletes until his departure in 2016. Zoz continued his coaching career with Turkey before becoming Janne Väätäinen’s assistant in Finland. Additionally, for over a dozen years he has been designing suits – including some for Slovenia – alongside his coaching work. A new chapter awaits him with a successful nation, which could be a new challenge for him in terms of work style and culture.

Julia Piątkowska: For the last four years, you have been working for Team Finland. How was the cooperation?

Frederic Zoz: Yes, I started working for the National team of Finland from the season 2019 after two very nice years in Slovenia, until this season 2022-2023, so four great years. The cooperation has been really good in Finland! Lauri Hakola was head coach at that time and came to ask me if I was interested in working for them as an assistant coach and suit maker. I have almost immediately given a positive answer since I had lot of great connections with many staff members and coaches in Finland from the times that we cooperated in France with Pekka Niemela together with Finns, we shared ski service staff etc!

Is there something you will keep in your mind forever?

Frederic Zoz Team Finland Kranj 2022 300x200 - "I am really looking forward to it, because they have world class athletes in all nordic disciplines and genders!" - The French coach Frederic Zoz has teamed up with the Japanese Ski Association
Frederic Zoz with Niko Kytösaho, Kranj 2022/(photo by Julia Piątkowska)

– I have to say that a lot of fantastic memories will remain from those years in Finland but definitely, the most important, is the friendship with the athletes and staff that we had during those years. As a team, we went through great and difficult moments and you need great atmosphere and fun to re-bounce when hard times hit you, so I am very thankful to Finnish Ski Association all guys I have met!

You are starting a cooperation with Team Japan. How do you feel about it?

– First of all, I am very thankful to the Japan ski association for giving me an opportunity to work for such a ski jumping nation. And I am very happy and excited to learn about my teammates and athletes and to start working! It is a new challenge for me, a new approach to work, and we will do our best to succeed.

Never before have you worked with a nation with such a different culture, work style and so on. Are you nervous?

– The team will be almost my first to work with a non-European, with the exception of Turkey. I am extremely curious about it and hope to gain experience, gain trust, and contribute as much as possible to the team. The culture and work style will be another experience of work, of life and that is what makes our job and life richer so I am really much looking forward, because they have world class athletes in all nordic disciplines and gender!

Can you tell me a little bit about your job position – what will you do in general?

– In collaboration with the coaches and together with Stian Andre Skinnes and Mizuno, my role will be to support athletes of the ladies & men’s ski jumping teams and nordic combined with equipment.

As a suit specialist, you are among the best. Did it require much effort to acquire this expertise?

– Surprisingly, it came naturally and I relished learning and advancing in this field. My initial motive for designing my own jumping suit in France back in 2011 was cost savings and enhancing our equipment against dominant nations. As time passed, I accrued experience with various teams, gradually increasing my involvement year after year as I strove to get closer to the top-notch professionals worldwide – something that holds great significance for me.

Is the preparation of suits still a determining factor for a team’s competitive advantage?

– Well, it is certainly one aspect that can make a difference at the highest level. However, ultimately it is an athlete’s performance that matters most. Equipment, including suits, is just one piece of the puzzle that must come together in order to succeed. Though these items can contribute to improved athletic and technical performances, there is no magic formula. However, if you aspire to win, falling behind top-performing nations simply isn’t an option.

Thanks for sharing the great news! Good luck!

– Thank you for a nice talk!

 

Interview by Julia Piątkowska

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